Wireless protocol converter

Abstract

Methods and systems for interfacing between broadband wireless communication systems and Local Area Network (LAN) systems includes a repeater station placed at a location that receives sufficient signal strength from a broadband wireless service provider. LAN devices interface with the broadband wireless service provider through the repeater station. The LAN devices are able to operate within the operating range of the repeater station. The repeater station includes a protocol converter that interfaces between a first protocol associated with the broadband wireless service provider, and one or more protocols associated with the devices. For example, and without limitation, the protocol converter converts between a first protocol associated with a Wide Area Network (WAN) service provider, such as a cellular telephone protocol, and one or more LAN protocols associated with the one or more devices. The one or more devices optionally include one or more wireless devices.

1. A method for communicating comprising:
 (a) receiving broadband wireless data formatted according to a cellular telephone protocol at a repeater; 
 (b) sensing said cellular telephone protocol; 
 (c) dynamically selecting one or more local area network (LAN) protocols, said one or more LAN protocols compatible with one or more wireless devices within range of said repeater; 
 (d) converting said broadband wireless data from said cellular telephone protocol to said selected one or more LAN protocols; and 
 (e) transmitting said converted data. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (f) receiving data formatted according to said one or more LAN protocols; 
 (g) converting said data formatted according to said one or more LAN protocols to said cellular telephone protocol; and 
 (h) transmitting said data converted to said cellular telephone protocol as broadband wireless data. 
 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said one or more LAN protocols complies with IEEE standard 802.11. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said method is performed at a substantially fixed position. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein said method is performed at one or more of a building, train station, subway, oil rig, church, prison, lamp post, bus shelter, school, office building, house, monument, telephone pole, tower, hotel, crane, warehouse, hanger, terminal, drydock, dam, jetway, bridge, dock, lock, marina, emergency services facility, police station, fire station, central office, equipment shelter, observation tower, power plant, factory, silo, research facility, shopping center, shopping mall, cellular communication system tower, traffic signal, fire escape, scaffold, bridge, convention center, sports arena, stadium, and stage. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said method is performed within a mobile platform. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein said method is performed within one or more of a bus, taxi, car, truck, tractor, van, multi-purpose vehicle, sport utility vehicle, police vehicle, fire truck, ambulance, train car, locomotive, airplane, helicopter, blimp, hovercraft, boat, ship, barge, tugboat, construction machinery, naval vessel, motorcycle, subway car, pullman, trolley, lawnmower, race car, all-terrain vehicle, golf cart, forklift, segway, scooter, bicycle, pedal car, rickshaw, sled, tractor-trailer, delivery truck, trailer, submarine, raft, and pushcart. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 2 , wherein steps (e) and (f) respectively comprise wirelessly transmitting and receiving said data. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein steps (e) and (f) respectively comprise wirelessly transmitting and receiving said data to and from a portable device. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein steps (e) and (f) respectively comprise wirelessly transmitting and receiving said data to and from a transportable computer. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein steps (e) and (f) respectively comprise wirelessly transmitting and receiving said data to and from a fixed-location device. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein steps (e) and (f) respectively comprise at least one of wirelessly transmitting and receiving said data to and from a home security system. 
     
     
       13. A method for communicating comprising:
 receiving wireless data formatted according to a LAN (local area network) protocol at a repeater; 
 sensing said LAN protocol; 
 dynamically selecting one or more cellular telephone protocols, said one or more cellular telephone protocols compatible with one or more wireless devices within range of said repeater; 
 converting said wireless data formatted according to said LAN protocol to said selected one or more cellular telephone protocols; and 
 transmitting said converted data as broadband wireless data. 
 
     
     
       14. A converter for interfacing between a cellular telephone system and local area network (LAN) system, comprising:
 a first wireless transceiver configured to interface with a cellular telephone system; 
 a second wireless transceiver configured to interface with a LAN device; and 
 a first converter coupled between said first and second wireless transceivers, said first converter configured to convert data between a cellular telephone protocol and a LAN protocol, 
 wherein said first converter includes one or more controllable settings, said controllable settings used to specify one or more of a plurality of cellular telephone protocols for said cellular telephone protocol and one or more of a plurality of LAN protocols for said LAN protocol. 
 
     
     
       15. A method for communicating, comprising:
 receiving broadband wireless data formatted according to a wide area network (WAN) protocol at a repeater; 
 sensing said WAN protocol; 
 dynamically selecting a local area network (LAN) protocol, said LAN protocol compatible with a wireless device within range of said repeater; 
 converting said broadband wireless data from said WAN protocol to said LAN protocol; and 
 transmitting said data converted to said LAN protocol. 
 
     
     
       16. A method for communicating, comprising:
 receiving wireless data formatted according to a local area network (LAN) protocol at a repeater; 
 sensing said LAN protocol; 
 dynamically selecting a wide area network (WAN) protocol, said WAN protocol compatible with a wireless device within range of said repeater; 
 converting said wireless data formatted according to said LAN protocol to said WAN protocol; and 
 transmitting said converted data formatted according to said WAN protocol as broadband wireless data. 
 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 receiving data formatted according to said LAN protocol; 
 converting said data formatted according to said LAN protocol to said wide area network protocol; and 
 transmitting said data converted to said wide area network protocol as broadband wireless data. 
 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said LAN protocol complies with IEEE standard 802.11. 
     
     
       19. The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said wide area network protocol complies with at least one of a IEEE standard 802.16 or a satellite communication protocol. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (f) varying an output power of said repeater to maintain an appropriate signal level between said repeater and said one or more wireless/devices. 
 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20 , wherein varying said output power comprises varying said output power manually. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 20 , wherein varying said output power comprises varying said output power automatically. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 (f) varying an output power of said repeater to maintain an appropriate signal level between said repeater and said one or more wireless devices. 
 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23 , wherein varying said output power comprises varying said output power manually. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 23 , wherein varying said output power comprises varying said output power automatically.